Munch ’s Make Believe Band is going the way of DZ Discovery Zone .
If you grew up in the ’80s, ’90s, or ’00s, then you probably have very fond memories of going to Chuck E. Cheese’s to celebrate birthday parties or because your parents took you as a treat.
Now, a huge part of going to Chuck E. Cheese — other than winning tickets to turn in for a prize — was watching Munch’s Make Believe Band.
The animatronic band, which was always just a little creepy, was comprised of Chuck E. Cheese, Mr. Munch, Jasper T. Jowls, Pasqually the Chef, and Helen Henny. They would perform a few original songs, but most importantly, if you were there for a birthday party, the “Birthday Star” song.
Now, if you don’t have kids or just haven’t been to a Chuck E. Cheese in over a decade, then you might not know that they have made a lot of changes over the years, including removing the iconic tokens and tickets in favor of reloadable cards. But, one change they have been doing slowly is removing the animatronics from some of their locations.
Well, in a recent interview withthe New York Times, Chuck E. Cheese’s chief executive, David McKillips, announced they would be removing all the animatronics from every location (except two) by the end of this year in what he described as the company’s “most aggressive transformation.”
McKillips attributes the changes to kids wanting to play more with screen-based entertainment. The animatronics are going to be replaced with a band playing on a giant screen and a digital dance floor.
The official Chuck E. Cheese X/Twitter account (no, they don’t have a blue checkmark because Chuck isn’t about to give his money to ****) also tweeted out the NYT story announcing the news and asking people to share their memories. Of course, people had a lot to say:
I got ta give respect to you at least acknowledge . You are a pedestal up guy Charles . This is is upsetting tidings as this is what I opine is the most unique part of this establishment , but I also understand cost and just innovation to the future .
Being truamtized by the chuck e tall mallow animatronics is a childhood religious rite of passage . I ’m devastatedhttps://t.co/C51PWQo2Wv
the kids have nothing left 💔 💔 💔 💔 💔
Those Friday nights as a Thomas Kid were memorable . It was like going to Six Flags when my parent bring us Chuck E. Cheese . Super fun.https://t.co/nRVae3IQ92
I used to go to Chuck E. Cheese on my birthdays ( example 13th b Clarence Day ) and now I wo n’t ever want to hold a natal day there again because the animatronics are gone . Sometimes I go with family and I bet at where it used to be and it ’s just soulless . work them back .
RIP, Chuck E. Cheese, and friends you’re going to the big DZ Discovery Zone in the sky. But, you will forever live in the memories of Gen X’ers, millennials, and Gen Z’ers.
